How to deal with peer pressure

Hang on for a minute...we're trying to find some more stories you might like.

Email This Story

Send email to this addressEnter Your NameAdd a comment hereVerification

Peer pressure crosses the paths of everyone at some point. It is a good idea to plan ahead for how to get out of those situations. Knowing how to respond prior to the situation will not only bring confidence to the conversation, but may also bring positivity. The first step is to practice saying “no.” For example, if a family member asks to watch a movie instead of doing homework, though it may be hard, simply answer with “no.” Doing this will improve the tone of voice used over time.

The second thing is to evaluate friendships. Choose friends that have shared beliefs. This will not only lead to strong, healthy friendships, but will also avoid the opportunity for peer pressure to arise. Most people naturally prefer to avoid conflict on a day-to-day basis and this will just help make that happen.

Another suggestion is to be self-aware; something as little as a mood change can affect the sensibility of a person. It is important to feel secure while being around people who may have the opportunity to pressure anybody.

That leads to the next tip: stand up for others in a situation that they are being peer pressured. It will not only help them, but it will send a message to the person pressuring them not to mess with anybody else. Even taking a trusted friend along to an event is a good idea. They can stand up for people at the event and vice versa.

One of the biggest things to remember is nobody can, or even has to, please everyone. Taking self-care into consideration is the most important thing to lead a happy, healthy life. Sometimes, that leads to having to do things without thinking about others, and that is okay. Self-care is more important than anything because it helps people prepare to take care of a difficult situation.

Remember to avoid peer pressure if possible, evaluate friendships, be self-aware, stand up for others who need help, and know that nobody can ever please everybody. If all of these tips are used, peer pressure will be avoided, resolved, and prevented in a safe and responsible fashion. If these tips are not resolving the problem, ask a parent or trusted adult for help. All experiences are different and the situation might need a little more tactic involved.